Luxol had to bow down to Depiro as they suffered their first league defeat. They also lost their joint top placing and were overhauled by the same Depiro leaving the champions Hibs as sole leaders.

Depiro were the hungrier of the two sides for victory but Luxol made up quite a lot of leeway and went near at the end but it was really their poor opening that was their downfall.

Both teams presented their standard formations.

Luxol were caught cold by their adversaries as Antoinette Borg sank a trio of triples and Kaila Agius added another.

The Violets were well behind when they recovered briefly through Becky Naudi but they were still on a double figure deficit. Luxol fell further in arrears in the second quarter but then began to react better though Depiro still maintained some distance between the two teams. Till the interval it was Depiro with the hoops and rapid replies from the Violets. Score at 34-25 for Depiro.

After the break it was Luxol who pressed their opponents. Mandi Sciortino sank a triple in a 9-2 run and her side went to within a point. Depiro returned well as Sarah Pace netted a trey to start a solid 10-2 run which jolted Luxol who stopped their rivals with a second Sciortino triple. But Depiro led 50-41.

Luxol began inching back as Steffi De Martino and Sciortino made their points. It was Kaila Agius who helped Depiro to remain in front as her side warded off Luxol’s last efforts.

After all teams have played five matches, Hibs Medsea are sole leaders on 10 points. McDonalds Depiro are second on nine points with Luxol and Alyssa Ashley Loyola on eight. Athleta have seven points while St Andrews and Starlites Sports Experience have six each. Guzelpinar Mtarfa are at the bottom with five points.